A criminal charge is the formal written document filed with a court that accuses a person of a crime. This sometimes read in open court at an initial hearing, though the defendant can waive this. In these cases it becomes the basis for a series of what are called indictments. These are the specific statutory violations alleged to have been committed. An indictment can be for a misdemeanor or a felony. A felony is a more serious violation, usually penalized with prison time. Either way, a criminal charge can be a serious matter and for that reason most states provide for court-appointed legal counsel for people who cannot otherwise afford a lawyer.

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